Lumbopelvic Muscle Mechanical Properties in Women with Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Case-Controlled Study.

: To compare the lumbopelvic muscle mechanical properties (MMPs) of women with and without multiple sclerosis (MS) and explore relationships between these properties and sociodemographic/clinical characteristics. : This cross-sectional observational study included 22 women with MS and 22 age- and BMI-matched women without MS. MMPs (frequency, stiffness, decrement, relaxation, and creep) of pelvic floor and lumbar paravertebral muscles were assessed using a MyotonPRO device.

Lumbopelvic rhythm analysis by quartiles: Identification of differences in lumbar and pelvic contribution during trunk flexion and extension in subjects with low back pain of different origin. A case-control study.

Low back pain (LBP) can alters spinal kinematics. However, for adequate clinical care, a better understanding of lumbopelvic biomechanical behaviour according to the type of LBP is required. Our objectives were to identify differences in lumbopelvic rhythm (LPR) between subjects with acute low back pain (aLBP), axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and healthy subjects.

Influence of High-Impact Physical Activity on Pelvic Floor and Lumbar Muscle Mechanical Properties in Asymptomatic Nulliparous Women.

Introduction And Hypothesis: High-impact physical activity is a known risk factor for the development of pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) in women, affecting the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs). However, there is insufficient information to determine whether alterations in PFMs, or even in the lumbar muscles, can be detected before the onset of symptoms. The aim of the study was to identify whether high-impact physical activity influences the muscle mechanical properties (MMPs) of the lumbopelvic region in continent nulliparous women.

Muscle mechanical properties of pelvic floor and paravertebral muscles in women with and without urge urinary incontinence: a case-control study.

Background: Muscle mechanical properties (MMPs) are relevant in the pathophysiology of lumbopelvic disorders. However, they have not been described in the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) and lumbar paravertebral muscles (LPM) of women with urge urinary incontinence (UUI).

Objective: To identify differences between MMPs of PFM and LPM in patients with UUI and healthy controls.

Assessment of description and implementation fidelity of clinical trials involving exercise-based treatment in individuals with rotator cuff tears: a scoping review.

Background: For evidence-based practice, clinicians and researchers can rely on well-conducted randomized clinical trials that exhibit good methodological quality, provide adequate intervention descriptions, and implementation fidelity.

Objective: To assess the description and implementation fidelity of exercise-based interventions in clinical trials for individuals with rotator cuff tears.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, LILACS, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, SCOPUS and SciELO.

Influence of vaginal birth on lumbopelvic muscle mechanical properties on urinary incontinence.

Objective: To identify differences in the muscle mechanical properties of the pelvic floor (PF) and lumbar paravertebral (LP) muscles between young nulliparous and uni/multiparous women. Secondarily, specific behaviors, depending on the presence or absence or urinary incontinence (UI), were also researched.

Design: Case-control study.

Between-sexes differences in lumbopelvic muscle mechanical properties of non-climacteric adults: a cross-sectional design.

The lumbopelvic muscle mechanical properties (MMPs) are clinically relevant, but their dependence on sex remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to identify if lumbopelvic MMPs depend on the sex in a young adult population. Thirty-five healthy nulliparous women and 35 healthy men were analyzed (age range: 18-50).

Test-retest reliability of the isometric contraction test (IC test) of the masticatory muscles in subjects with and without temporomandibular muscle disorders.

Objective: Recently, the DC/TMD has become an essential tool for the diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). However, as they fail to include functional activities, new assessment proposals have emerged, such as the isometric contraction test (IC test) of the masticatory muscles, which uses muscle contractions to identify muscular TMD. This study aimed to determine the test-retest reliability of the IC test.

Cervical sensitivity, range of motion and strength in individuals with shoulder pain: A cross-sectional case control study.

Objectives: To assess whether cervical sensitivity, range of motion (ROM) and strength are impaired in individuals with shoulder pain and how they interact with sociodemographic and clinical data.

Methods: Forty-eight individuals with shoulder pain and 48 asymptomatic matched ones were included. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) in cervical region and tibialis anterior muscles, ROM of cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexions and rotations and cervical muscle strength of flexion, extension and lateral flexions were assessed.

Health-Related Quality of Life, Pain and Sleep in Patients with HIV Depending on the Clinical Situation: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study.

Introduction: Health-related quality of life (HRQL), pain and sleep have been described as relevant traits in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The aim of this study is to describe and evaluate HRQL, pain and sleep and their interdependence in HIV-positive patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study on HIV-infected patients was conducted.

Relationships Between Active Myofascial Trigger Points and Depressive Symptoms and Physical and Clinical Characteristics of Individuals With Shoulder Pain: A Cross-sectional Study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate relationships between the presence and number of active myofascial trigger points (MTPs) in shoulder muscles and physical and demographic characteristics, depressive symptoms, pain and function, range of motion (ROM), and strength in individuals with shoulder pain.

Methods: Fifty-eight individuals were assessed for physical and demographic characteristics, depressive symptoms, shoulder pain and function, MTPs (upper and lower trapezius, infraspinatus, and supraspinatus), shoulder ROM and strength test, and pain during ROM and strength test. Relationships were verified using point-biserial (r), Spearman correlation test, and multiple linear regression analysis.

Effect of compression by elastic bandages on pain and function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: protocol of a randomised controlled clinical trial.

Introduction: Although compression is used to control pain in knee osteoarthritis (KOA), its clinical application is poorly supported, and there is a lack of scientific evidence to support its clinical use. As a low-cost and accessible protocol, compression using elastic bands could be a non-pharmacological intervention to reduce pain and improve physical function in individuals with KOA. This study aims to evaluate the effects of compression on pain and function in individuals with KOA.

Validity of the Isometric Contraction Test of the Masticatory Muscles for Diagnosis of Muscular Temporomandibular Disorders.

In recent years, the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Pain Disorders (DC/TMD) has been questioned, mainly because of the dependence on the muscular pressure needed to be applied during the clinical examination. Therefore, it is necessary to establish improvements in diagnostic strategies for DC/TMD of axis I. The aim of this study was to determine the validity of the Isometric Contraction Test of the masticatory muscles (ICTest) to diagnose DC/TMD of axis I.

Prognostic value of key variables from cardiopulmonary exercise testing in patients with COPD: 42-month follow-up.

Aim: To identify better predictors of early death in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using potential predictors derived from key measures obtained from cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET).

Methods: This is a prospective, cohort study with 42-month follow-up in 126 COPD patients. Every patient completed the clinical evaluation, followed by a pulmonary function test and CPET.

Localized and widespread pressure pain hypersensitivity in patients with episodic or chronic migraine: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: This meta-analysis compared pressure pain sensitivity in trigeminal, cervical spine and remote pain-free areas between migraine patients and headache-free controls considering diagnosis (episodic versus chronic) and sex. Electronic databases were searched for cross-sectional or prospective case-control studies comparing pressure pain thresholds between migraine and headache-free controls. Data were extracted by two reviewers.

Influence of Spinal Movements Associated with Physical Evaluation on Muscle Mechanical Properties of the Lumbar Paraspinal in Subjects with Acute Low Back Pain.

This research aimed to identify changes in muscle mechanical properties (MMPs) when a standardized sequence of movements is performed and to determine the influence of acute low back pain (LBP) and age on the MMPs. Socio-demographic, clinical variables and MMPs were collected in 33 patients with LBP and 33 healthy controls. A 2 × 2 × 2 (group × age × time) analysis of variance (ANOVA) mixed model was used to determine the effect of the study factors on the different MMPs.

Clinical, Psychological, and Neurophysiological Outcomes Associated with Pain and Function in Individuals with Unilateral Plantar Heel Pain.

Objective: To assess the potential relationship of demographic (age, gender, body mass index, height, weight), clinical (affected side, duration of symptoms, health-related quality of life), psychological (depressive levels), or neurophysiological (pressure pain sensitivity and number of trigger points) variables with foot function and pain intensity in patients with unilateral plantar heel pain (PHP).

Methods: Fifty-four patients with PHP (48% females) were recruited. Data on demographics, months with pain, time in standing position, depression, pressure pain thresholds (PPTs), number of trigger points, health-related quality of life, function, and pain intensity were collected.

Absolute and Relative Reliability of the Assessment of the Muscle Mechanical Properties of Pelvic Floor Muscles in Women with and without Urinary Incontinence.

An analysis of the muscle mechanical properties (MMPs) of the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) is relevant for understanding the physiopathology of urinary incontinence (UI). However, there is no objective and reliable methodology currently available for quantifying the MMPs of PFMs. Thus, the objective was to determine the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the MMPs of PFM assessment with a hand-held tonometer device, called the MyotonPRO, in young women with and without UI.

Effects of hypopressive exercises on post-partum abdominal diastasis, trunk circumference, and mechanical properties of abdominopelvic tissues: a case series.

Background: Abdominal diastasis (AD) is highly prevalent at post-partum. Although several conservative approaches have been proposed, an effective and protocolized treatment is lacking for this condition.

Objective: To identify modifications of inter-rectus abdominis distance (IRAD), trunk circumferences and mechanical properties of the AD, transversus abdominis and the pelvic floor (PF) muscles, after the application of hypopressive exercises (HE) and at a two-month follow-up in postpartum AD.

Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Considered as Comorbidity in Clinical Trials of Physical Therapy Interventions in Fibromyalgia? A Scoping Review.

Evidence supports the presence of comorbid conditions, e.g., irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), in individuals with fibromyalgia (FM).

Paravertebral Muscle Mechanical Properties in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis or Low Back Pain: A Case-Control Study.

Different musculoskeletal disorders are a source of pain in the spinal region; most of them can be divided into mechanical, such as low back pain (LBP), or inflammatory origins, as is the case of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Nevertheless, insufficient information is available about the muscle negative consequences of these conditions. Thus, the objective of this study was to identify whether mechanical muscle properties (MMPs) of cervical and lumbar muscles are different between patients with axSpA, subacute LBP (sLBP), and healthy controls.

Mechanical Properties of Lumbar and Cervical Paravertebral Muscles in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) affects spinal muscles, due to inflammation and structural damage. The mechanical properties of the muscles, such as tone or stiffness, could be altered in axSpA. The aim of this work is to analyze the mechanical properties of cervical and lumbar spine muscles in axSpA patients and their relationship with metrology measures, function, disease activity, structural damage and quality of life.

Future Challenges and Critical Approach to Metrology in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis.

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a rheumatic inflammatory chronic disease that mainly affects the spine, producing inflammation and structural damage at the vertebral level (erosions, syndesmophytes, and bony bridges) [...

Has the Phase of the Menstrual Cycle Been Considered in Studies Investigating Pressure Pain Sensitivity in Migraine and Tension-Type Headache: A Scoping Review.

Objective: The aim of this scoping review was to identify if the phase of the menstrual cycle was considered in observational studies comparing pressure pain sensitivity between women with migraine or tension-type headache (TTH) and headache-free women.

Methods: A systematic electronic literature search in PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL databases was conducted. Observational studies including one or more groups with TTH and/or migraine comparing pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were included.

Paravertebral Muscle Mechanical Properties and Spinal Range of Motion in Patients with Acute Neck or Low Back Pain: A Case-Control Study.

Our aims were to identify potential differences in muscle mechanical properties (MMPs) of cervical and lumbar tissues and in spinal range of motion (ROM) between patients with acute low back pain (LBP) or acute neck pain (NP) and healthy controls, and to identify if ROMs and MMPs are able to identify subjects among the three groups. Clinical variables (pain, disability, fear of movement, kinesiophobia, quality of life), MMPs and ROMs were obtained in 33 subjects with acute LBP, 33 with acute NP, and 33 healthy control subjects. Between-groups differences and explanatory models to discriminate groups depending on MMPs and ROMs were calculated.